The Beneficial Links Between Heart Disease and Fish Oil

The beneficial links between heart disease and fish oil have been studied since the 1970's and are due to the high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish

As usual different studies reported different results, but the overall consensus of opinion is that increasing omega-3 fatty acids in your diet will help to reduce the effects of heart disease and fish oils are the main source of these nutrients.

Studies reported that people consuming above average levels of omega-3 had fewer heart attacks, and interestingly other studies reported that if a heart attack did occur, it was less likely to be fatal.

So why is the relationship between heart disease and fish oil important?

To function properly your body needs an equal balance of Omega-6 fatty acids (which come from sunflower, canola, corn, and safflower oil) and Omega-3 fatty acids (which come from comes from fish oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil).

The problem is that due to our current diet, it has been estimated that we are consuming 30 times more Omega-6 than Omega-3!!!

To restore the balance, you need to reduce your consumption of the foods containing Omega-6 and increase your consumption of foods containing Omega-3.

Reducing the amount of oil that you use in your cooking at home and increasing the amount of oily fish that you eat (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout) by 2 portions a week, will make a big impact on your health.

Realistically very few of us will make the radical shift in our eating habits to eliminate these, so taking fish oil supplement can help to redress the balance.

They help to reduce triglyceride levels in your blood.

They help to reduce the growth rate of plaque in your arteries.

They help to keep your blood thin and reduce clotting.

They help to reduce your blood pressure.

You would think that your decision to increase your consumption of omega-3 is a no brainer, however it is complicated by 2 other factors:

1) There are 3 different types of omega-3

ALA predominately found in flax seed oil and Kiwi fruits! (This can only be obtained from food or supplements)

EPA predominantly found in oily fish (your body also has a limited capacity to synthesize this from ALA)

DHA predominantly found in oily fish (your body also has a limited capacity to synthesize this from ALA)

If you do decide to supplement your diet with a supplement, then the recommended dose is 1g of each of the 3 types every day.

If you increase your consumption through diet (which is always the best way) you may choose to take a lower dosage in the form of a supplement.

2) There have been reports recently of high mercury content in our supplies of oily fish. (Why is nothing simple?!)

Due to the "mercury scare" many people have decided to take omega-3 supplements in the form of Krill Oil. Krill is a type of shrimp that whales feed on, that are found in the north Pacific ocean that have not been contaminated by mercury.

If you do decide to use supplements to gain the benefits for heart disease and fish oil, then you need to check out the dosages for each type of omega-3 oils.

The easiest way is to do this on the internet to search and compare dosages and quality on a massive range of supplements from a number of different manufactures to see which will suit you best.

It’s Your Heart. It’s Your Life.

It’s Your Choice.

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